As always, thank you Ambush99 for betaing this fic!
Chapter 11
Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he wondered what he was going to say to Moody. He could deal with Moody's temper, he just hated the fact he would disappoint the man. He hated the fact he would make his mentor's life harder.
"Can you hold the lift?" a soft female voice called out.
Throwing his hand out, he caught the closing door, forcing it open. "Amelia," he said pleasantly.
"Sirius," Amelia said returning the pleasantry.
"Level 2?"
"Yes please." Amelia watched the auror for a moment. Any physical tell of his time in captivity had gone. The desperately thin, sunken form had been replaced by a lean, muscular form, looking like he was in the prime of his life. His whole demeanour radiated strength and wisdom way beyond his years, something she had only associated with Dumbledore. "That was," she started, "that was a great thing you said in there."
"Thanks," Sirius said shyly. "Too bad I'm going to be fired."
"Why will you be fired?"
"I doubt it's the best of career moves to have made; having a full on argument with a man who ultimately is my boss," Sirius sighed as he leant against the lift walls.
"Argument!? I thought you were just debating a very important topic. It was pretty inspirational to be honest. It's been a while; actually I can't remember the last time someone took Fudge and Crouch on like that."
"Thank you, you're kind," Sirius said smiling. "I guess I'll be remembered as the crazy one hit wonder."
"I think you'll be remembered for far more than that. What you said about you-you, V-V, Voldemort," Amelia eventually managed to stumble out. "What you said about him was so brave."
"He is just another human being. His actions may lead us to think he is something else but he isn't. He needs to be brought to justice for the atrocities he has committed," Sirius said passionately.
"You don't think he died, do you? Fudge refuses to believe anything else."
Sirius bit back the flashback he knew was coming; when Voldemort tried to kill him. He tried to ignore the high, cold laugh. "No, I don't think he is dead. I think he's out there biding his time, waiting for the right moment to return," Sirius said in a slightly hollow voice. "We need to be ready for that moment."
"We will be," Amelia replied. 'I hope we will be ready,' she mentally added. Truth be told, with Fudge at the helm, she questioned if they would. "I'll be seeing you soon then," she said, stepping out of the lift.
"I hope so," Sirius replied with a slight smile. "Well, I guess I better face the music."
"Good luck."
"Thank you." Turning, he walked towards the office. He started to mentally prepare himself for the onslaught of words, followed by the inevitable firing.
"Sirius, how did it go?" Kingsley called out, as he watched the other man enter the office.
Sirius leant against Kingsley's desk and sighed. "You know you said to, 'knock them dead'? Well, I may have got into a debate with Fudge."
"Kingsley!" Dawlish called out, waving a sheet of parchment in the air. "The lowered age for aurors didn't pass!"
"Yeah," Sirius breathed.
"Sirius?" Kingsley questioned.
"Oh hi, Sirius," Dawlish said, reaching Kingsley's desk. "So, what the hell happened Kingsley? We thought it was a sure thing!"
"Sirius?" Kingsley pressed.
"I may have, okay I said the motion was immoral, illegal and made no strategic sense."
"Ha!" Kingsley exclaimed, slapping Sirius on the back. "Nice work!"
"It says the motion was opposed nine votes to two," Dawlish read. "You flipped eight members of the cabinet. That's, that's never been done since Fudge has been in power. How did you do it?"
"I don't know. I just didn't agree with the motion."
"Black!"
Sirius looked down for a moment. "Well it's been a pleasure working with you," he said as he started towards Moody's office.
"Good luck," Dawlish said patting the other man's shoulder.
"I would say knock him dead, but…" Kingsley started.
"It's all you fault," Sirius replied with a grin. "If you hadn't said that I would have been all meek, smiling and nodding at the right places."
"Sirius, no one is ever going to believe that, but seriously good luck."
"Moody, look I'm sorry, okay. I may have got a little passionate in there. I just don't think we should use children to fight our wars." Sirius said as he walked into the office. He stopped and observed Moody for a moment. "Fuck, Moody, if you have a plan... If you have an agenda, it would be easier if you read me in on it." He paused again, as he watched the other man leaning back on his chair, twirling his wand between his fingers. He frowned as he tried to gauge the other man's intentions. "This was your intention all along," he concluded.
"Yes," Moody replied simply.
"It was a test."
"Yes."
"Well a fat lot of good that's going to do now, considering I'm going to be fired," Sirius snapped.
"Crouch and Fudge are indeed calling for your head, but I've had eight owls saying under no circumstances should I fire you. Phyllis Morpurgo went into quite some detail of what she would do to me if I did," Moody said, wincing at the memory.
"So, I'm not being fired?"
"No."
"So, what's the plan Mad-Eye?" Sirius said, sitting down and leaning forward.
"There will come a time when I can no longer do this job-"
"Moody? Are you ill?" Sirius cut in.
"No," Moody replied. "Just this job has taken its toll and I'm not getting any younger. When that time comes, I need you to take over."
"Me?!" Sirius exclaimed. "Surely Kingsley, Dawlish, Beck, hell I don't know, I barely have four years' experience!"
"You have nearly sixteen years' experience. You were never fired. You never resigned, you remained an auror. You are this office's most loyal employee. You never broke, even under great duress."
"Okay, but me, running this office?! I'm too-"
"Too what, Sirius? You are loyal, intelligent, brave and the others look to you."
"What?!"
"The younger ones are comfortable in seeking advice from you. The rest respect you. You have the natural ability to lead. You can influence people. Your political game needs a little work, but that'll come. It's better than mine in any case."
Sirius exhaled slowly. "What's the plan?"
"We need to start now. We need, you need to start forming new alliances. You need to use your influence."
"Are you suggesting we perform a coup d'etat?!" Sirius exclaimed.
"No."
"Just as much as I think Fudge is an idiot, a coup will seriously destabilise the Ministry."
"I completely agree, but we need something in place when Fudge falls; which will happen. He cannot continue this dictatorship whilst ignoring the growing threat. You need to use your influence."
"Mad-eye, I think you are overestimating my 'influence'," Sirius said, raking his hand through his hair.
"Am I?" Moody replied leaning back in his chair. "Since Fudge came to power, no motion he has proposed has ever been denied. But you did it. During your first cabinet vote, you influenced eight cabinet members to vote against Fudge. The same eight who have owled me, telling me they would have my head if I fired you. So, are you telling me you don't have any influence?"
"Okay, maybe I do have some but, I don't know."
"Sirius, we have to do something. We cannot let the Ministry fall."
"But if Fudge won't listen and Crouch..." Sirius stopped and tapped his foot nervously. Was he letting his prejudice influence him?
"Sirius?"
"It's nothing."
"Clearly, what is it?"
"Have you noticed anything different about Crouch recently?"
"Why?"
"I don't know. Look, I'm probably being stupid," Sirius said shaking his head.
"Come on, spit it out laddie."
"I think, I think he is under the influence of the Imperius Curse."
"Why?"
"I don't know. It's hard to explain. It's, well, I just have this feeling."
"Your gut is telling you?"
"Yeah."
Moody nodded. "I'll investigate."
"Moody, I don't think it's a good idea if either of us investigates. It's not exactly a secret neither of us see eye to eye with him."
"Who then?" Moody asked.
"Kingsley?"
Moody nodded again. "Read him in. Good work today, Sirius," he said as the other man started to stand. "Oh, and Sirius, watch what you eat and drink around here. I overheard some witches on level 3 discussing what love potion they could slip you."
Sdf
James Potter read through the proposal again, twirling the quill between his fingers.
"Mr. Potter."
James looked up to his boss, Harold Temperance, standing in front of him. "Mr. Temperance," he replied, standing to address his boss. Harold Temperance, head of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Division, was always old fashionably formal. "I am just reviewing the proposal. I should have it on your desk for tomorrow morning."
"Do you know Mr. Black?"
"Sirius?" James asked, watching the other man nod. "Yeah, he's my best friend. He's my adoptive brother. He was my secret keeper."
"A very interesting man," Harold said, before walking away without a further word.
James frowned as he watched his boss walk away. What the hell was that about? Grabbing a scrap of parchment, he scribbled a quick note. 'Mate, we need to talk. What the hell happened? Meet me in the Atrium as soon as you can. James.' Folding it, he attached it to an owl, before grabbing his jacket and heading out of the office.
Ssdf
"So, you're not being fired then," Kingsley said as he watched Sirius approach his desk.
"No, apparently I made some friends in there. Fudge and Crouch want me gone, but there's nothing new there," Sirius sighed as he leant against Kingsley's desk. "Kingsley, can I ask you to do something. If you don't want to do it I totally understand."
"What is it?"
"Crouch," Sirius said simply. "Have you noticed anything strange about him?"
"No, but then again I do try to avoid him. Why? What are you thinking?"
"I could be completely wrong, but I think he's under the Imperius Curse."
Kingsley nodded. "He hasn't looked well recently," he said reflectively. "I just put that down to the pressures of the job and having a winter cold. What do you want me to do?"
"I'm asking a lot, especially as it's based on my impulse." Sirius started.
"Your impulse has always been pretty good," Kingsley cut in. "Do you want me to investigate?"
"Yeah."
"I am guessing it's because Moody and yourself wouldn't be ideal candidates, given your history with the man. Not a problem," Kingsley replied. "Oh, this came for you."
"Thank you," Sirius said sincerely. He found himself smiling as he took the piece of parchment with the untidy scrawl. "I guess news travels fast," he said reading the note.
Kingsley raised his eyebrows. "Are you surprised? It's you. The man who came back from the dead, then goes into a cabinet vote and gets eight people to vote down Fudge's proposal. It's almost the stuff of legends."
"Ha!" Sirius laughed. "I better get going before James wears a track in the floor upstairs." Bidding his thanks to Kingsley, he headed towards the Atrium.
"What the hell mate?!"
Sirius staggered slightly as James clapped his hand on his shoulder. "Hello to you too, James."
"Seriously, what the fuck happened? Mr. Temperance asked me about you! I've never had a personal conversation with him in my life!" James exclaimed.
"Not here," Sirius replied quietly, as he nervously looked around.
"Mr. Black, I was wondering if you would look at this and considering supporting our cause," a short, middle aged witch asked, as she thrust a leaflet into his hand. "What you did in there was utterly inspirational. We are really excited that you can start to bring change to the Ministry."
"Err, thanks," Sirius replied, briefly looking at the leaflet. "I will certainly consider it."
"Thank you," the witch said pleasantly, before slipping into the crowd.
"Okay, I am serious Sirius, what the hell is happening!"
"No need to use my name twice," Sirius laughed. "I'll explain when we are back at yours."
Grabbing Sirius, James pulled him towards one of the fires. "Potter Manor," he yelled, pulling Sirius into the fire with him. "Right," he said, straightening up as he stepped out of his living room fire. "You better bloody start talking. What the hell happened? What did you do?"
"James, calm down," Sirius said as he flopped elegantly onto the sofa by the fire.
"No, what the hell? Inspiration? Bring change to the Ministry?" James exclaimed as he paced, waving his hands wildly in the air.
"I went to the WP meeting," Sirius started simply. He watched as his friend stopped pacing to stare at him.
"And…?"
Sirius sighed. "They were going to vote on lowering the auror entry age."
James frowned. "Yeah, most of us didn't agree with it but, like all of Fudge's proposals, it was a sure thing."
"It didn't pass."
"What?"
"It didn't pass," Sirius repeated. He ran a hand through his hair. "They were going to vote on it and I suggested we debate it. James, I didn't know the rules of the cabinet meeting. I just, well…"
James collapsed on the sofa next to his best friend. "Ha! You bloody spoke your mind. I bet that pissed Fudge off."
"Yeah," Sirius said vaguely. "I thought he was going to explode at one point."
"What was the final vote?"
"Nine to two."
"Seriously! Shite mate, that's incredible."
"Yeah, I guess."
"It is mate. It's about time things changed around there. What else, mate?" James asked, eyeing his distracted friend with concern.
"When Moody goes he wants me to take over the office."
"Makes sense," James replied, leaning back on the sofa.
"Really? I, seriously I can't head up the Auror office. Why me?"
"You're kidding right? Mate, Moody has been mentoring you for this since he recruited you. He knew he needed someone like you in an influential position."
"I just don't feel ready," Sirius admitted.
"Sure, but Moody is a tough old goat. He'll be around for years to come. Shit, you will probably retire on the same day as him," James joked. "Now tell me more about the vote. Merlin, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall. Finally, someone put that twat in his place. It's fucking amazing mate!"
